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Community Corner

ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL COMMENCES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION - Spring Extravaganza Fundraiser Set for March

Saint Augustine School of Andover has officially kicked-off its 100-year milestone celebration themed: ‘Celebrate our Past, Delight in our Present and Build for our Future.’  Once a simple mansion located at 1 Chestnut Street, Saint Augustine School-- an historic and recognizable landmark in Andover founded on September 8, 1914 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur-- has since evolved to its current and expanding footprint at 26 Central Street.  In honor of its 100-year anniversary, the school and its supporters have established a year-long celebration, hosting events and executing activities each month to honor past students and administrators, highlight its academic evolution, and showcase its long-standing philanthropic support through the years of various Merrimack Valley organizations.

History Holds as School Fundraises for its Future

Throughout the month of February, the school will commemorate its history and founders, the Augustinian Friars and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, through research of and via interviews with alumni—conducted by current members of St. Augustine’s student body.  On March 8, 2014, the school will host its annual Spring Extravaganza at the Wyndham Hotel 9123 Old Andover Rd. Andover) beginning with a 6:00 welcome reception, and followed by dinner and silent and live auction.  The event, this year themed “Where We’ve Been ~ Where We’re Going,”  is the school’s largest annual fundraiser.  Regional businesses including KBW Financial Staffing and Recruiting, Weetabix North America, Leonard Orthodontics and the Falvey Family & Portsmouth Pediatric Dentistry, are lead sponsors, while dozens of area restaurants, shops, banks and retailers have joined to support the school’s efforts to build its gymnasium—a physical asset the school has never had to date.

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“It’s an incredibly exciting year for St. Augustine School,” said Principal Paula O’Dea. “We’re not only celebrating our 100 -year history, but highlighting how successfully our school has evolved to meet the needs of a diversified and growing student body, without sacrificing our core mission -- deeply seeded in faith and education.”  

With Growth, Comes Expansion

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Throughout the year, St. Augustine School will continue to highlight unique elements that have helped create the culture upon which it was built, while showcasing how the school is progressing towards an even more successful future. One such evolution is the addition of the Centennial Gymnasium, slated to begin construction later this year, and hopefully, completed by December. Throughout its 100-years, St. Augustine School has never had a gymnasium. Students and faculty instead have leveraged a small black top surface and coinciding grass playing field, in addition to the Knights of Columbus Hall located two blocks away, for physical education during the school year.  Countless numbers of St. Augustine School faculty, students, families, local businesses and friends have worked tireless to plan and support expansion of its current location to deliver a much needed physical asset to the school—which should be realized later this year. 

To date, members from Saint Augustine School, with support from Saint Augustine Parish and other area supporters, has raised nearly $1.2 million dollars towards the gym construction. Given the completed project price tag of $1.9 million dollars, the overall cost associated with such an expansion leaves much room for additional financial support.  Those interested in donating can do so by visiting the Centennial Celebration website at www.sas100.org. Donations allow you to creatively and forever highlight your special donation through the ‘purchase of a brick’ or even naming rights to the gymnasium basketball court.  The upcoming Spring Extravaganza also provides a unique way to support the local landmark as the school has established an online auction through which all proceeds will go directly towards gymnasium construction.  Visit www.biddingforgood.com/2014springextravaganza to view items from local retailers, gift certificates to area restaurants and even unique travel options. Tickets to the Spring Extravaganza are also available by contacting the school at 978.475.2414.

Cheryl Jamitkowski, chair of the Spring Extravaganza and owner of Tewksbury-based UndercoverWear said,  “Thoughtful gifts and donations from area businesses are the cornerstone of our efforts to construct the Centennial Gymnasium, and we’re so appreciative of the community’s support. We simply couldn’t achieve our goals without them.”

About St. Augustine School

Founded in 1914 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Saint Augustine School (26 Central Street Andover, Mass.) provides a high-quality Catholic education to children Nursery through Grade 8 within an environment supporting, encouraging and nurturing spiritual, intellectual, social and personal growth.  St. Augustine School celebrates its strong Catholic identity, promotes academic excellence and fosters respect and justice for all individuals. Through its dedicated group of educators committed to teaching and learning in the Catholic tradition, St. Augustine School recognizes the unique gifts in each child and remains committed to helping each child reach their full academic, social and physical potential. For more information visit St. Augustine School at: www.edline.net/pages/staugustineandover

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